Democrats have introduced "Project 2029," a new policy initiative designed to create a comprehensive governing agenda for a potential Democratic presidential victory in 2028. This effort mirrors the approach taken by conservatives with the Heritage Foundation-backed "Project 2025," which prepared a policy blueprint for a Republican administration.
Organizers of Project 2029 state their goal is to move beyond a campaign strategy focused solely on opposition to former President Donald Trump and instead offer voters a concrete vision for the future. "Our mission for whoever’s running for president in 2028 is to have a shelf of big ideas they can draw from as they’re putting forward their vision," a Project 2029 spokesperson told The Post.
Over the past year, the initiative has gathered input from leaders on Capitol Hill, think tanks, private sector executives, and potential presidential candidates. The agenda, which will continue to be rolled out over the next year, aims to address issues such as affordability, child care, technology, and government efficiency through a combination of executive and legislative actions.
Project 2029's first proposal, titled "Kids over Clicks," outlines strategies to address the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on children. Recommendations include prohibiting minors under 16 from using certain "addictive apps," mandating default privacy protections, regulating AI chatbots for minors, banning cellphones during school hours, and ending targeted advertising at teenagers.
Another proposal targets the "annoyance economy," which includes issues like robocalls, spam texts, junk fees, and frustrating customer service experiences. Project founder Chad Maisel estimates these daily annoyances cost American families approximately $165 billion annually in time and money. The plan suggests increased enforcement against scam calls, simplified online insurance claims, and new regulations to streamline interactions with companies.
The third major proposal focuses on expanding child care assistance. It offers a choice between free child care services or a monthly $1,000 cash benefit for families where a parent or caregiver stays home with children. Project 2029 asserts this approach would provide greater flexibility for parents and alleviate a significant financial burden for young families.
The rollout of Project 2029 comes at a time when the Democratic Party is navigating internal divisions ahead of the 2026 midterms and a wide-open field for the 2028 presidential race. While Project 2025 is credited with influencing a significant portion of the current administration's policies, some political strategists question whether Project 2029 can achieve similar impact. Political strategist Max Burns commented that Project 2029 may lack the clear ideological focus that defined Project 2025, potentially leading to a collection of less cohesive policy ideas. Organizers maintain, however, that Project 2029 aims to unite Democrats around practical solutions and provide a ready-made governing agenda for the party's nominee.